The Healthy Planet, “St. Louis’ Magazine of Green & Healthy Living,” has joined The Gateway Gardener on the free pick-up table just inside the door of Scheidt True Value Hardware. Gnomes on July edition’s cover hale from the editor’s garden.
Now in its 24th year, The Healthy Planet spun from the orbit of the Webster-Kirkwood Times, when Times co-founder J.B. Lester was looking to start another publication. Lester says he’s confident that his chosen editing/publishing focus on Health, Wellness and The Environment will never go out of style.
“Our advertisers report good feedback from our readers,” Lester says, “especially on the family-friendly resources like our annual Summer Camp Guide, the Natural Living Holiday Gift Guide, and New Year’s Tips from Planet People. Every issue features info from environmental groups, from wholistic MDs, chiropractors, veterinarians, and a range of natural health specialty practitioners. Local businesses and resources.
“Read THP every month and you’ll find something to improve your quality of life, sustainably. Plus,” adds Lester, “our popular columnists!”
Full disclosure: this reporter’s enviro-column Earthworms’ Castings has been a Healthy Planet feature since 1997. Don’t miss “Not Flushable!” in the July issue. It’s the serious message that wipes clog pipes, from MSD Project Clear, backed up with poop, pee and TP puns.
The Healthy Planet is proving resilient, through this COVID-19 era.
“THP has always been a free monthly,” Lester says. “People pick it up 100% out of choice, versus thrown on the lawn or mailed. Our Store Stack delivery reports a 95% pickup rate, based on leftovers.
“We cut back our print runs during the COVID shutdown months when some of our prime distribution sites – like Missouri Botanical Garden – were closed. For July, we boosted the run a bit. We distribute through one Schnuck’s or Dierberg’s in many city and county zip codes, plus some specialty locations like the Broadway Oyster Bar. We’re getting back into smaller locations: libraries, YMCA’s, and medical buildings. It’s good news that our online readership has grown since March.
“We’ve been full-issue online now for several years. Everything’s in the Pageturner edition – covers, ads – just like in the print copy. Anything we can do to reduce the amount of paper put out, reduce our Carbon footprint. We originally put leftovers right into those yellow-and-green paper recycling bins at schools.
And we’re always looking for new ideas!”
Special editions of The Healthy Planet run in April, for Earth Day, and November for America Recycles Day, sponsored by the St. Louis-Jefferson Solid Waste Management District. The Green Dining Guide periodically spotlights restaurants, food trucks and caterers certified by the St. Louis Green Dining Alliance. In 2014 THP celebrated the Maplewood Special Business District becoming the nation’s first Green Dining District, in which 25% or more of restaurants have been certified sustainable.
THP contributors with special beats include Green & Growing editor Linda Wiggen Kraft, ARTful Living editor Michelle “Mike” Ochonicky, Lifestyles editor Denise Christen, and Destinations editor Celia Henson.
The Healthy Planet Natural Living Expo brings featured enterprises together for two-day live events in March and November, at the Webster Groves Recreation Center. Expo this spring went virtual with vendor and exhibitor spotlights that remain accessible online.
Read current and past editions online at TheHealthyPlanet.com; issues are archived from the past five years. Scheidt True Value Hardware is located at 7320 Manchester, in downtown Maplewood. Whole Foods in Brentwood, Schnuck’s Richmond Center, and Schlafly Bottleworks are also Healthy Planet pickup points in the area served by 40 South News.